Ellington Nichols is a Company Artist and Company Manager at Ballet 5:8, where she combines technical precision and expressive depth with strategic leadership and organizational insight. Her signature role as Helga Weiss in Julianna Rubio Slager’s Butterfly remains one of her most moving performances to date—portraying the resilience and artistry of the young Holocaust survivor with clarity, empathy, and emotional nuance.

Offstage, Ellington plays a critical role in managing the day-to-day operations of both the professional company and the School of Ballet 5:8. She holds a degree in Digital Audiences with a minor in Business from Arizona State University, equipping her with expertise in marketing strategy, audience engagement, and internal communications that directly supports the company’s infrastructure and reach.

Originally from Minnesota, Ellington began her training at North Ballet Academy, where she studied under Stephanie Heston, Kim Norberg, and Breanna Dvorak. She performed lead roles including Clara and Dew Drop with the North Ballet Youth Company, and later trained under former Russian prima ballerina Tatiana Berenova, touring Pas de Quatre under her guidance.

Her training continued through prestigious summer intensives at Kirov Academy of Ballet, Ellison Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Butler University, Indiana University, FABNY, and IBStage in Barcelona, Spain. She also performed at the Vivat Youth Ballet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, directed by Oleg Vinogradov, former director of the Kirov Ballet.

Ellington completed her pre-professional studies at the Forrest Academy of Ballet New York, graduating in 2019 before joining Ballet 5:8 as a Company Apprentice. She was promoted to Company Artist in 2020 and has since performed in a wide range of works including Reckless, Golden Sessions, Of Splendors & Horrors, 4501, The Rough-Face Girl, Still Waters, Brothers & Sisters, and The Space in Between.

With a rare blend of artistry and business acumen, Ellington plays a vital role in both the creative and administrative life of Ballet 5:8. Her contributions on stage and behind the scenes continue to shape the company’s artistic impact and operational strength.